“How do you feel about gay men?” one of the sisters asked without raising her hand.
“As I said before, I believe that everyone should have a right to love anyone of his or her choice. I think most of us occupy some point on the sexual spectrum. Very few of us are born 100% straight or 100% gay. Almost all of us are born on one side or the other of the rainbow of possibilities. Does that answer your question?” I asked. Nodding heads told me I had.
“What happens when you get an erection at a nude beach?” another sister asked.
I laughed, “I either sit down and wait for it to pass, or I go behind a bush and take care of business.”
“What would you do if you end up staying with us?” Lisa asked.
Lisa was everything anyone could want in a leader. She was thoughtful and measured in her approach to unexpected problems. I was an unexpected problem. I knew her questions weren’t accidental. This is her test to determine whether I stayed or went away. My problem was that I had no way of knowing what the right answers might be. My only option was to roll the dice and hope for the best.
“You and your sisters have built something here that is amazing, unique, and precious, Lisa. The protection and continued safety of this community is a top priority. I can understand why some might view me, as a man, to be a possible threat to this family. I am who I am, and there’s nothing I can do to change that,” I said.
We were now talking about the elephant in the room, and the hall had become silent as each woman considered my words. I raised my right hand and faced Lisa.
“I vow to do everything in my power to help this colony continue to succeed under your leadership,” I said while making eye contact with the group’s leader.
“The world outside this valley is changing into something very ugly and dangerous, and I think that having a man among you might be useful. I would like to be that man, and I will place the safety of your sisters ahead of my own if you allow it.”
I lowered myself to one knee before Lisa, crossed my arms over my chest, and bowed my head when I finished speaking. I held my position as I waited for Lisa to speak. It may have been a bit melodramatic, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I had once seen it done in a movie.
The silence seemed to stretch out forever, but I didn’t move. I did a long count in my head to track the time. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, and Lisa broke the silence when I got to fifty-two Mississippi.
“That’s a compelling offer, and I appreciate your apparent sincerity, Dennis. It’s very moving. Truth be told. However, I don’t know you well enough to trust you with the lives of our family. I can’t give you trust that you haven’t yet earned. I will allow you to remain among us as my guest until I make a final determination as to your status here. We will revisit this question in two weeks. You will not attempt to leave our company in the meantime..” Lisa paused before she continued, “Do you understand?” She was not making an optional suggestion, this was a stone cold command. I didn’t want to find out what would happen if I disobeyed.
“Thank you, Lisa, I can’t ask for more. You have my word of honor,” I replied, as I resumed a standing position. At least my status had been clarified; I was a guest/prisoner of the group’s leader.
The serious discussion didn’t arouse me as much as the sexy questions. My erection got bored and decided that it was time for a nap. I took the opportunity to wrap up my ‘brief’ introduction as quickly as possible.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you, and I’m thankful for your generous hospitality. I will do my best as your guest to carry my own weight for as long as I’m under your roof,” I concluded.
The applause of the sisterhood caught me by surprise. While not over the top wild, it was polite and lasted about 20 seconds.
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